Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Adonis (Part 4)

I rushed out of the barrier and ran as fast as I could through the forest.
Being a dragon I could run incredibly fast in human form, but flying as a
dragon is much faster. As soon as I made it to a clearing large enough, I
changed. The 3 day journey it took us would now probably take me only a day, the
perks of being a dragon.
I traveled forever only thinking of getting the medicine, and wondering if
she was okay. She didn't deserve this. Her brother and her father were both
dead, and now she was on the verge of death as well. I really wanted to rip the
heads off those two dragons. I was going to make a special effort from now on.
No one will ever hurt Nairi again.
I kept flying. Though I knew I was going really fast, it seemed I was taking
way too long. I willed myself to speed up.
After what seemed like an eternity, I saw the gates of the camp. I landed
and changed back into a human. I raced toward the infirmary. I burst through
the door making Kaymele, Anakis, Natia, and Nithron jump three feet in the air.
"A-Adonis your back." Anakis muttered.
"Yes, I am. And I brought the herbs. Here,” I threw the bag to her. “Make
the medicine." She stumbled to catch it but immediately set to work making
the remedy. "How has she been?" I asked, sitting down next to her.
"As good as someone who has that bad of an infection can be,"
Kaymele said. "She has been sleeping on and off, she hasn't talked, and
she won't drink. I don't know why though."
I frowned. "That’s strange.” I looked at her. She was sweating
terribly. I picked up a wet rag and was about to wipe her face with it when she
rocketed away. "What-"
"See, she doesn't even want it to touch her." Kaymele said
frowning.
I looked at Nairi. She looked about the same but then I saw it. "Hey,
Nairi, can you tell me the name of your brother?" She looked at me like
she didn't know what I was talking about. Heat started to rise in my chest. "Kaymele,
has anything happened - anything at all - after we left?"
"Well, just one thing. Some guys came and tried to kidnap Nairi but
they failed."
I got up and hit the wall. "Dang it! This isn't Nairi. She won't drink
water, won't even let it touch her. She is a Ceridwen. Water would help her
not hurt her. Those kidnappers, whoever they are, succeeded."
"Adonis," Kaymele sounded worried, "Nairi is right there. How
could they have succeeded?"
"Ask her to talk," I snapped. "It won't sound like Nairi. She
probably can't answer any questions about her past either. Try to force her to
drink some water. I bet it will do something." I turned and glared at
Nairi's imposter.
Kaymele got up and poured some water, careful not to let it touch her.
"Nairi, can you drink just a little of this." She shook her head
fiercely. "If it really is you, forgive me." She forced the water
down her throat and Nairi screamed. But it was high pitched and almost inaudible.
I covered my ears as the Nairi imposter evaporated.
"Well, has my point been proven?"
Everyone looked at me with stunned eyes. "So where have they taken
Nairi then?" Nithron said thoughtfully.
"Most likely the castle," Kaymele said sharply.
I nodded. "And if she's hurt they’re all dead." I was mad. Really
mad. I wanted to hit something desperately but knowing I would break something,
I held back.
"And if she isn't treated soon sh-she could die," Anakis mumbled.
"Okay, I'm going to go get her." I started for the door but felt a
hand on my shoulder.
"Adonis, we are all worried, but don't be rash. It would be suicide to
take on that army alone without a plan."
"Your point?" I said sarcastically.
He sighed, "My point, Adonis, is-" He was cut off by the
sound of wolves…No not wolves...death hounds. I ran outside the gates and saw a
pack of death hounds surrounding two figures. One was a man who had obviously
made some archers very angry, and there, laying on the ground beside him was...NAIRI.